Eilet decker



R. DECKER.

FOLDING TABLE.

No. 346,027. Patented July 20, 1886.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RILEY DECKER, OF CHARLOTTE, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CORNELIUS S. BARRETT, OF SAME PLACE.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 346,027, dated July 20, 1886. Application filed November-23, 1885. Serial No. 183,813. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, RILEY DECKER, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Charlotte, in the county of Eaton and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Folding Table, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in folding tables, in which the plane of the table consists of two leaves hinged together, supported by crosslegs hinged to the leaves, and adapted to all uses in. which a table may be used for temporary or permanent purposes, and so constructed as to be readily adjusted to a vertical position for packing, or to a lateral position for use; and the purposes of my improvement are to construct a light and durable folding-leaf table, convenient in operation, simple in construction, and s0 braced and connected as to possess all the elements of a stationary or rigid table, and at the same time being portable and flexible. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a detailed view of the table ready for use. Fig. 2 is a view of the table inverted. Fig. 3 is a view of the table folded for storage or moving.

Similar letters refer to similar parts through out the several views.

The two leaves a I), connected by the hinges n a, form the plane A of the table, which is supported by the legs 0 c c c, which, in turn, are fastened to the leaves a b by the hinges oo o o. The legs 0 0'0 0 cross each other at their centers, and are connected by and turn upon the rod or round r. The legs are so placed in position that the two, as c c, supporting one side of the table, are placed upon the inside,

and have braces e 6 running to the round r, for the purpose of preventing any lateral movement. By attaching both inside legs, a c, to the same leaf it 'will be observed in folding the table that the outside legs will not come in contact with the braces e e, which would otherwise occur should an outside and an inside leg be fastened to the same leaf. The leaves a b are held in the lateral position by a bar underneath, pivotally connected to one of the leaves, and the ends of which swing under the wooden catches m m.

In folding the table the bar 8 is turned lengthwise with the leaves a b, and the center of the table is elevated, thereby readily assuming a compact position, as shown in Fig. 3. The bar 8, being connected to the plane of the table at is center, and having its ends securely placed in the catches m m, prevents any depression of the leaves a b, either in the center or on the edges, and forms a rigid top, while the braces e e' prevent any lateral motion of the table when loaded with dishes or other heavy weights.

I am aware thatfolding tables supported by cross legs,in which the centerofthe table when 6 folded either rises or falls, are old, and that such tables have been provided with various means to prevent the table from collapsing. These constructions I do not claim. My device differs from them in that the legs are jour- 7o naled upon the round, and the inner legs are connected to the rounds by braces,which prevent lateral motion,and consequent endwise movement of the table. In other words, the leaves and legs will be rigidly held and present a firm and tight-jointed table. Therefore \Vhat claim as new is- In a folding table, the combination of the leaves hinged together and each having a catch, m, the turn-bar pivoted upon one of the leaves, the round r, the legs hinged to the under side of the table and journaled upon the round, and the braces 6, attached to the round and the inner legs, to prevent lateral movement of the latter upon the round,'substantially as described.

RILEY DECKER.

\Vitnesses:

J. C. N IOHOLS, J. L. BUELL. 

